The pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Middle East / Egypt

Cairo, the Nile and Luxor

The same route with one change that matters: you leave the boat at Luxor and spend a night on land, which turns a rushed last day into an unhurried one.

8 days, 7 nights3 nights Cairo, 3 on the Nile, 1 in LuxorFull board on the cruiseEgyptologist guideDomestic flight included
7
Nights
3
On the river
10
Major sites
1
Extra night in Luxor

Nights one to three

Cairo, Giza and Alexandria

The pyramids were raised around 2500 BC as the burial ground of the fourth dynasty kings, and they sit at the edge of the city rather than out in the desert, which surprises most people. A full day covers them and the Sphinx, then the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization with the royal mummies hall, and Khan El Khalili, the fourteenth century bazaar off El Moez street. A second day runs out to Alexandria for the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Roman theatre and Pompey’s Pillar.

The Sphinx and a pyramid at Giza, EgyptThe pyramids seen across the desert, Giza, Egypt
A cruise boat on the Nile, Egypt

Nights four to six

Aswan and the river

You fly to Aswan, see Philae temple on its island and the High Dam, then board the boat. Abu Simbel is an early start the next morning, worth every minute of it. After that the boat moves at the pace of the river, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu before Luxor.

The hypostyle hall at Karnak, Luxor, EgyptCarved columns at Karnak, Luxor, Egypt

The last day

Luxor

The west bank in the morning for the Valley of the Kings, three tombs on the standard ticket, then Hatshepsut’s terraced temple and the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon Karnak, where dozens of pharaohs each added something, and Luxor temple in the middle of the modern town.

Balloons over the west bank at Luxor, Egypt

The extra night in Luxor buys you a balloon at dawn over the west bank, which is the reason to take this version.

Day by day

Cairo, Egypt
DAY 1
Arrive in Cairo

Met at the airport, helped through immigration and driven to the hotel.

The Sphinx, Giza
DAY 2
Giza and the museum

A full day at the pyramids and the Sphinx, then the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Khan El Khalili.

Giza, Egypt
DAY 3
Alexandria and back

The catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Roman theatre, Pompey’s Pillar and the Qaitbay citadel from outside, then back to Cairo.

A felucca on the Nile at Aswan, Egypt
DAY 4
Fly to Aswan, board the boat

Philae temple, the High Dam and the unfinished obelisk, then check in on board.

Abu Simbel, Egypt
DAY 5
Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo

The early convoy to Abu Simbel, then sailing to Kom Ombo and on to Edfu.

The Nile, Egypt
DAY 6
Edfu, then Luxor

Edfu temple in the morning and a long afternoon on deck as the boat sails north.

Karnak, Luxor
DAY 7
Luxor, both banks

Check out of the boat. The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi in the morning, Karnak and Luxor temple in the afternoon, then a hotel in Luxor for the night.

Karnak, Luxor
DAY 8
Departure from Luxor

A balloon over the west bank at dawn if you have booked one, then breakfast and the transfer to Luxor airport.

Included

  • Meet and assist on arrival and departure, with help through immigration
  • All transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast, and full board on the Nile cruise
  • Domestic flight Cairo to Aswan
  • Entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary
  • An Egyptologist guide on the touring days
  • All applicable taxes

Not included

  • International flights and airport taxes
  • Egypt entry visa
  • Lunches and dinners in Cairo
  • Drinks, tips and personal spending
  • Optional visits such as the inside of a pyramid, the Solar Boat or a sound and light show
  • Travel insurance

Where you stay

A four or five star hotel in Cairo, a five star Nile cruise boat and a hotel in Luxor, all named on your quote, or similar in the same grade.

Hotel names are shown as booked at the time of writing and are always confirmed on your quote. Where a property is full or a rate changes we substitute one of the same grade in the same area, and you hear about it from us before you pay.

The pyramids of GizaAbu Simbel, EgyptKarnak, LuxorA felucca on the NileThe Sphinx, GizaA Nile cruise boatBalloons over Luxor
A felucca on the Nile at Aswan, Egypt

Ask us what it costs

We put the itinerary on the page and keep the rate off it, because what you pay moves with the season, the hotel grade and the size of your group. Send your dates and how many are travelling and you will have a quote the same day.

Get a price for this trip

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